Experts In Residence 02: Dr. Raj Arora’s Top Tips for Healthy Skin, Hair & Lashes

Welcome to the second instalment of our Experts In Residence series, where specialists in super natural beauty, hair and skincare share their insights to help us Never Stop Growing.

This February, we were lucky enough to speak with NHS doctor and Medical Educator, Dr. Raj Arora, renowned for her expertise and featured regularly on ITV’s This Morning, British Vogue, Stylist, and Harper’s Bazaar. She’s also the founder of The Facebible, a Surrey-based clinic offering holistic, personalised skincare and wellness treatments.

Below, Dr. Raj was kind enough to share her story on how she got into the industry, her top tips on caring for your lashes, hair and skin and her overall approach to beauty and wellness - so listen in to learn from the best…

1. What was it that made you want to specialise in aesthetics and health as a GP?

My passion for medicine has always been driven by a desire to help others and improve their quality of life. I believe this is best achieved through evidence-based education, empowering patients to make informed choices about their health.
After qualifying as a doctor, I pursued a Medical Education Degree to explore this further and soon discovered a deep sense of fulfilment in educating others. As a GP, I have the opportunity to provide holistic care while integrating patient education into every consultation, ensuring they feel informed and supported in their health journey.

Initially drawn to surgery, I developed a strong interest in Oculoplastics (addressing conditions relating to the eye area) due to my passion for anatomy and hands-on skills. However, aesthetic medicine allowed me to focus on skin and hair, and with its rapid advancements, keeps me continuously learning and adapting—just like UKLASH and their Never Stop Growing philosophy, which is all about constant innovation and self-improvement. By specialising in both aesthetics and general practice, I am able to offer a diverse range of treatments, addressing both medical and aesthetic concerns to provide truly comprehensive care.

2. What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different in terms of what the agenda might be but a typical day will look like this…

5am - Wake up and get myself ready for the day
6am - Get my son ready for school!
7am - Get breakfast for my son and feed my baby girl a bottle (She’s 1!)
8am - Reply to emails and work on general admin
9am - Drop my children off at nursery & head straight to the clinic or the studio if filming!
10am - Clinic Time - Whether that be for NHS or private GP, Aesthetics or a TV medic slot, this varies from day to day!
4:30pm - Quick 30-minute gym session if possible
5pm - Pick the children up from nursery
6pm - Home and in mummy mode!
8pm - Dinner and time to unwind with my hubby
10pm - Bedtime!

3. What are the most common concerns you see at your clinic?

When it comes to general practice I see every concern from every age group, but with aesthetics, the most common concerns are related to skin ageing, skin conditions (these can include acne, eczema, pigmentation etc), hair loss and hair thinning.

4. What are your top tips for maintaining long and healthy lashes, both internally and externally?

Maintaining good eyelash hygiene is key - Always remove makeup carefully and use a gentle eyelash comb when needed to remove any dirt/debris from the lashes and lash line. If you use eyelash extensions, make sure to take breaks from them as these can put pressure on your natural lashes and cause unnecessary breakage and fallout. 
Using an eyelash serum can help to strengthen your natural lashes. One of my favourites is UKLASH’s Complex Peptide Eyelash Serum, which really helps to keep lashes long and strong! 
Internally, focusing on keeping stress levels low, eating a nutritious diet full of protein, healthy fats and vitamins and getting plenty of sleep can help. Also, make sure you’re aware of any vitamin deficiencies and take the necessary steps to manage them.

5. Which of our three Eyelash Serums is your favourite and why?

I am obsessed with the Complex Peptide Eyelash Serum. I have not quite used a serum like it - It leaves my lashes feeling strong and looking thick and glossy! I have received numerous compliments on my lashes and actually feel comfortable going without mascara for the first time!

6. Can you explain how hormone fluctuations impact hair and skin health during periods like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause?

Hormone fluctuations during key life stages like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can significantly impact hair and skin health. During puberty, increased androgens and oestrogen often lead to oily skin, breakouts, and changes in hair texture. Pregnancy hormones can prolong the hair growth phase, resulting in thicker, fuller hair and a radiant complexion, though some may experience dryness, acne, or pigmentation changes like melasma. After childbirth, hormonal shifts can trigger increased hair shedding, while menopause, marked by a decline in oestrogen, often leads to thinning hair and hair loss.

7. For all our mums out there, what are your top tips for balancing hormones during pre and post-natal periods?

Managing hormones during times of flux involves taking a holistic approach, considering every part of your well-being. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet, reducing stress, optimising sleep and exercising regularly, although I understand some of these are easier to achieve than others with a newborn baby! There is no one-size-fits-all solution and each person’s approach will be different. Making small steps is what matters and don’t be shy in reaching out for support from your health care professionals if you feel you need it!

8. It was a joy to have you speak at our Look Good Feel Better event for those dealing with cancer last October - what are your top tips for those battling with hair loss or dry skin during cancer treatment?

It was an absolute pleasure and truly inspiring to meet so many strong individuals! Top tips are to focus on diet and lifestyle. During cancer treatment, it is important to speak to your doctor with regard to specific advice for hair loss or skin changes, but for my patients I always suggest…

• Gentle Hair Care – Use a mild Shampoo and moisturising Conditioner, avoiding harsh treatments.
• Keep Your Scalp Hydrated – Apply gentle oils or creams to combat dryness.
• Protect Your Scalp – Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun if experiencing hair loss.
• Scalp Massage – Helps improve circulation and promotes relaxation.
• Stay Moisturised – Use fragrance-free moisturisers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin to soothe dry skin. UKLASH’s Hydra-Gel Eye Patches are great for hydrating the eye area.
• Avoid Harsh Ingredients – Skip exfoliants and active ingredients to prevent irritation.
• Limit Hot Showers – This helps retain natural oils and prevent further dryness.
• Try Hair Growth Serums – UKLASH Lash, Brow and Hair Growth Serums may support regrowth.
• Seek Support – Charities like LGFB offer invaluable community and guidance.
  

9. What role do medications play in hair loss or skin changes, and are there other ways to target the problem if they’re affecting me negatively?

Always focus on a good hair and skincare routine first and foremost. Medications can be really helpful in addressing hair or skincare concerns, but if you’re seeing adverse effects, contact your GP to raise your issue and see what else can be done to come to a solution that works for you.

10. As a female-driven company, we’re trying to encourage women to speak up more about taboo topics such as Menopause - is there anything you can suggest for combating hair and skin changes during this time?

For hair loss, maintain a gentle routine and focus on scalp health by conducting regular scalp massages, using a Hair Growth Serum, or opting for an LED hair device which can help stimulate the scalp. 

When it comes to skincare, it’s important to adjust your routine to suit any changes. Menopausal skin tends to become drier, so reducing the use of active ingredients like retinoids, using them less frequently, and increasing hydration is key to maintaining healthy skin.
Some women may also choose HRT or medications to manage hair and skin changes so if you’re interested, speak with your healthcare professional to learn more about if this is the right direction for you.

UKLASH Recommends >>> Head to our article here to learn more about how to conduct scalp massages to encourage hair growth

11. Fine lines are a common concern in skincare—what products would you recommend for keeping them at bay?

Keeping skin hydrated with a good moisturiser and protecting your skin with a strong SPF is key. Alongside this, a solid skincare routine utilising peptides and retinoids can also help with tackling fine lines.

12. What’s the biggest misconception people have about achieving healthy hair and skin?

That using a single product will give sudden miraculous hair and/or skin. Managing skin and hair requires a multi-faceted holistic approach.

13. If you could recommend just one ingredient for healthy hair and skin, what would it be?

I’m going to be cheeky here and say…a balanced diet! - Protein, carbs, vitamins and healthy fats are so important, as well as staying hydrated! In truth though, there is no “one ingredient”!

14. What beauty trends do you wish would disappear in 2025, and which ones are you excited to see more of?

To Disappear:
- Shaving off eyelashes - terrible! 
- Any 20-step skincare routines 
- Over-oiling the scalp - this can lead to more hair loss if used too often

To See More Of:
- Targeted skincare routines for each individual
- Peptides for skin and hair health
- Preventative wellness and skincare (especially a rise in SPF!)
- Focus on scalp health

15. Let's do a Quickfire Round:

Morning cleanse or evening cleanse? Evening Cleanse
Chemical exfoliants or physical scrubs? Chemical Exfoliants
SPF moisturiser or separate sunscreen? Always Separate!
Eyelash Separator or Eyelash Curler? Eyelash Separator
Regular trims or leave it to grow? Regular Trims
Cold rinse or warm rinse? Cold Rinse

Dr. Raj Arora’s expertise highlights the power of a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. From skincare and hair health to the impact of hormones and lifestyle, her insights emphasise balance and the importance of evidence-based health solutions.

As we continue our Never Stop Growing journey, her advice reminds us of our purpose - to be there for our community through every age and every stage with expert advice and support to boost super natural beauty from within. Stay tuned for March’s Experts In Residence feature where we’ll be speaking with Dr Shireen - a Medical Educator and specialist in women’s health and Dermatology!